Russell H. Douglas

Russell H. Douglas Jr.

Born Oct. 18, 1943, in Richmond, Va., he was a son of Virginia B. Douglas of Richmond and the late Russell H. Douglas Sr.

He graduated from Midlothian High School, Randolph Macon College and the University of Virginia. He worked in the Goochland County School system as a teacher, assistant principal and athletic director, as well as coach of football, basketball and baseball. He was Athletic Director of Buffalo Gap High School from 1977 until his retirement in 1998. He was a member of the Virginia High School Athletic Directors Association where he served a term as president. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Staunton and the Churchville Ruritan Club. He was loved as baseball coach to thousands of young men in the Staunton-Augusta County area for over 30 years. He felt his life's calling was to teach basic baseball skills as well as to develop character, both on and off the field. He will be missed by many as the "man who loved to talk, to tell his stories and to share his trivia." He loved his God, his family and his friends and had a smile and a word for anyone who would listen.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 50 years, Judy (Whitley) Douglas; three daughters, Cheryl Shelton and husband, Mike and Marty Douglas all of Churchville and Kathy Coate and husband, Michael, of Liberty Lake, Wash.; a son, Russell Carroll Douglas and wife, Leslie, of Media, Pa,; two brothers, Dickie and Phil Douglas; two sisters Vicki and Geri Douglas and seven grandchildren, Megan and Holly Shelton, Cori Kipps , Aidan and Sera Coate and Zach and Sophia Douglas.

A service in celebration of his life will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013, in Buffalo Gap High School, Swoope, officiated by Pastor Bobby Campbell, followed by family visitation. Burial will be private.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Churchville Ruritan Club, P.O. Box 24, Churchville, VA 24421 for the youth baseball program or to Buffalo Gap High School, 1800 Buffalo Gap Hwy., Swoope, VA 24479 where a scholarship program is to be established in his memory for deserving athletes.